Nouvelles d'Union Fédérales
Broadcasting from Paris, District of France, European Union
"Bonjour et Bienvenue. We greet you this morning, at 9:00 on March 17 2004 with news from the European Union and around the world."
"Our top stories today, Russia announces that they will continue the sale of weaponry and advanced ordnance to nations and organizations around the world, after European Senator Clement Perrot accused Russia of furthering violence across the world through arms trade and smuggling. In Asia today, it looks to be the dawn of a new era as Japan, South Korea and the Philippine government sign a comprehensive economic and security agreement in the face of growing Chinese power. And here in Europe, tensions grow with Morocco over the devastating Terrorist bombing of Atocha Station a week ago."
"Fresh off of his recent re-election in the Russian Presidential Elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his campaign stance of providing further assistance to Russia's strategic and regional allies across the globe. Both the United States and the European Union had authoured a recent Bill put forth before the United Nations to limit international weapons sales. After a veto by China and Russia, the Bill collapsed to outrage amongst victims of the recent Second Congolese War, and to outrage from the European Senate which accused Russia of funding and supplying the Serbian Rogue State before a European Intervention Force dissolved the government and liberated the occupied territories of Montenegro and Kosovo."
"Many of the weapons currently being seized by European forces have been positively identified as Russian exports, including missile systems, small arms, armoured vehicles and helicopters used by the Serbian Special Forces. Senator Clement Perrot lead the charge of vilifying the Russian state and it's weapons sales before Chancellor Schroder countered that it was within the right of every state, including our Union, to sell goods, materials, and weapons to any party it wishes. His statement was met with uproars of support from the SDP, while being widely condemned by the ELA and the EPP. Many commentators speculate that this shows clear signs of discord and deadlock within the ruling government."
"In Asia however, the leaders of Japan, South Korea and the Philippines announced a comprehensive new Security and Economic Agreement dubbed the East Asian Community to further mutual cooperation and to further the cooperation of states seeking economic growth in the Far East. Other stipulations of the agreement mirror some security arrangements from the early days of the European Union, whereby all parties agreed to military co-operation and inter-service operations to fully facilitate a lasting and worthwhile security effort."
"Meanwhile, members of the Association of South East Asian Nations have already been contacted and agreed to an observer status within the organization. China has stated that it will not seek membership in the organization, while in a stunning move, North Korea has applied for a limited membership to increase economic cooperation."
"As a part of the Security agreement within the East Asian Community, members have guaranteed their mutual independence and promised aid to one another in any event of conflict with another nation. They have also, in an effort that some are calling a provocation, and others claim is little more than the organization asserting its regional authority, revoked the right of the United States government to station military forces in each members sovereign territory. Japan has also put forth a motion with the United States Congress to regain control of the Island of Okinawa, where the United States has enjoyed de facto control since the end of World War II."
"Meanwhile in Europe, the nation was left in a fury after a United Nations meeting today. Having gathered their evidence in a lightning case, filled with information collected and analyzed by the most able and knowledgeable lawyers, diplomats and statesmen from cross the European Union presented their findings to a special UN assembly. During the meeting, EU representatives were joined by the Special Envoy from the United States to announce that both parties had confirmed through a joint investigation that the Kingdom of Morocco held responsibility for the terrorist attack on Atocha Station that shook the country a week ago today."
"Through information gathered by undisclosed means, it was confirmed by the United States envoy that the Kingdom of Morocco had misappropriated aid and humanitarian funds from the US State department and a variety of charitable organizations to provide funding for the Islamic Combat Group, a terrorist organization that is reported to have training camps in Morocco, Libya and Syria. The European delegates confirmed the evidence presented by their American counterpart and added further damning evidence."
"The King of Morocco had granted safe haven and safe passage to one Khaled Al-Assad, a man who is reported to have joined the ICG and other organizations over the span of 20 years. His current membership to various organizations is unspecified, but he is believed to have connections to over 20 terror groups around the world. Revered by his followers, Khaled has become known in Western Intelligence circles as a dangerous, intelligent and charismatic individual."
"As the report continued however, a stream of delegates and diplomats left the building. The first to leave, at the accusation of harboring the ICG were both the Libyan and Syrian delegates to the United Nations. At the accusation of having provided funds to some of the charitable organizations that had sent funds to the ICG, the Russian delegation left the building. Soon after, as similar allegations arose against the Republic of the Crescent, the Republican delegate left the United Nations building. The Moroccan envoy, having listened to the whole of the report took the stand to answer the charges."
"In his moment at the stand, the Moroccan delegation had few words for the world."
"These heinous allegations against his Majesty and his Kingdom are nothing short of lies and fabricated poisons. His Majesty's government will not hear of them again. Damned be the nation which raises words of war in a house of peace, and damned be the man who would utter them in his presence."
"The Armed Services Bureau today confirmed that an Invasion of Morocco was imminent, but did not confirm the time of the Operation. The number of troops involved was also open to speculation, with much of the mobile capacity of the army being used in the Balkan Territories, however, forces involved were promised to be significant. President Vasanta himself commented;"
President Vasanta de Lyons said:
"Morocco thirsts for blood, and they will not survive the torrents of war."
"Also announced, was an increase in the defence budget to better fund and prepare the European Armed Services for any and all future conflicts."
"My name is Reynold de Burgundy, and that's Federal Union News, Europe's most reliable news source."